Lowry's Hut - Site

Statement of Significance

SITE Lowry’s Hut, Allanson, is considered to have cultural heritage significance for its historic association with Tom Lowry.

Physical Description

Historic site

History

The townsite of Allanson was originally known as ‘West Collie’ and is located 6km west of the Collie townsite. A railway siding and station was established at West Collie and land set aside for a townsite in 1898. The West Collie townsite was gazetted in 1906. As much of the original townsite land was underlaid by coal seams, little land was released and a new subdivision was made in 1911 and gazetted in 1912. In 1916 the name of the town was changed to Allanson, probably after Arthur Allan Wilson, Collie MLA from 1908 to 1947.

Thomas McCarthy Lowry was a civic and sporting leader in the West Collie/Allanson and Collie communities. Born in Victoria in 1877 and came to the Collie area in 1915. He started working for Western Collieries and became deeply involved in industrial matters aimed at improving the working conditions of miners. Lowry became general secretary of the Collie Miners Union in 1932, his association with the union ending only at his death in 1941. Lowry’s long commitment to sport in Collie and Allanson has seen the Allanson Oval named in his honour and Lowry Memorial Road Cycling Classic which has run since 1942 honours his legacy.

Tom Lowry lived alone in a small hut near the Allanson Oval, named Lowry Park. It’s exact location is unknown.

A map of the Allanson townsite, as recalled and drawn by Mr Norm Young, is included in A History of Allanson: Our Little Bush School. The map shows Tom Lowry’s Hut to the east of the northern end of the Allanson Oval.

Integrity/Authenticity

None/ None

Condition

None

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.